Antiques appraisal, art show event benefits memorial garden

November 07, 2009|By KATE S. ALEXANDER

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, Pa. -- It has been a year since the community of Blue Ridge Summit dedicated a garden in Amanda Bowders' honor. On Saturday, Blue Ridge Summit Fire and Rescue opened its door to continue raising money for the garden's expansion.

"We still have some work to do to get the rest of the pavers and the gazebo in, so we're probably looking at another $4,000 or $5,000," Lynn Martin said.

Martin and her husband, Duke, organized the community art show and antiques appraisal at the fire hall to help offset the cost of the remaining additions at the garden.

The Martins hosted a community fair in March that raised about $1,000 toward the memorial.

Bowders, 19, died on Valentine's Day 2007 when she sledded into a pole that supports playground equipment at Hooverville Elementary School on Pa. 16 east of Waynesboro, Pa.

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Adding the fall art show to their annual fundraising efforts should move the garden closer to its goal, Lynn Martin said.

"(The garden) will never be done," Duke Martin said. "It'll just continue to grow and mature."

Residents lined up Saturday to have their antiques and collectibles appraised for a $5 donation to the memorial.

Betty Bittner said she came to find out how much a shoe-shaped dish that had been passed through her family for generations was worth.

Told it was a Vaseline glass celery dish in a button and daisy pattern, she learned if she sold it, she could make nearly $100.

"I'm glad I brought it in," she said. "I've had it for so long that it was worth more until this economy."

Appraiser Sam Tressler of Emmitsburg, Md., said he saw many great pieces throughout the day.

The most unique -- a portrait of the daughter of the man who founded Nantucket -- was estimated to be worth between $15,000 and $40,000.

In addition to the appraisals, a mix of artists and crafters filled the hall to show and sell their works.

"This being closer to Christmas, since Blue Ridge Summit doesn't do much for the arts, we tried to get a variety here for the holiday," Lynn Martin said.

Drawn by the community aspect of the event, Sara Gernand of Emmitsburg set up Saturday to sell her jewelry.